Hope Haven International (HHI) reaches beyond the borders of our nation by extending mercy to people with disabilities around the world. The mission of Hope Haven International is to assist persons with disabilities to reach their potential.

We do this by developing opportunities to improve the economic position, social welfare and independence of people with disabilities throughout the world. Hope Haven works closely with relief and development organizations, mission groups and individuals in various countries to deliver wheelchairs to those in desperate need.

HHI distributes 3 different types of manufactured wheelchairs. They are all manufactured from new parts, and assembled at various locations.

Hope Haven KidChair

ROC Wheelchair

PET Wheelchair

KID CHAIR

ROC CHAIR

PET CHAIR

HOPE HAVEN KIDCHAIR

HOW WAS THIS WHEELCHAIR DESIGNED?
The Hope Haven KidChair was designed in 2001 with combined efforts from engineer students at Dordt College, HHI Director of Operations (Mark Richard), and regional Rehabilitation Specialists. The chair was designed to meet the ongoing need for specialized pediatric equipment in developing countries. On wheelchair distribution trips, therapists were not able to meet the acute needs of children and small adults because the wheelchairs at that time were not adequate for their size and disability. Thecollege students were seniors in a design class, challenged to design a pediatric wheelchair to meet the specific needs of disabled children living in Third World countries. HHI gave them 5,000 feet of ¾" aluminum tubing that had been donated by a pediatric wheelchair company, as well as giving them models of hundreds of new wheelchair forks, castors, wheels, hand rims and tires. What they designed was a durable frame that coupled the tube with recycled plastic.

With ongoing modifications and additions, as a result of input from Engineers, Rehab Technicians, Therapists and families, the Hope Haven KidChair has evolved into a seating system that provides orthopedic support while also growing with the child. It meets the needs of almost any child who requires wheelchair mobility while living in a demanding Third World environment.

WHERE IS THIS WHEELCHAIR MADE?
The KidChair is manufactured in Ireton, IA and Antigua, Guatemala. In Ireton, the shop is staffed by dedicated volunteers, mostly retired senior citizens. The shop in Guatemala employs people with disabilities, mostly former HHI wheelchair recipients. They are trained to use the equipment with assistive technology. This job offers new opportunity for these people’s families – job skill training, consistent wage, and demonstration to the country of the capabilities of people with disabilities.

WHAT MAKES THIS WHEELCHAIR GREAT?
The KidChair is manufactured in 3 sizes and easily adapts to a variety of children’s shapes, sizes and positioning needs. Specifically it was designed to meet the durability needs of very challenging environments, such as unpaved roads and uneven sidewalks. It is light weight, yet durable and easy to assemble on site and has no welded parts. The KidChair has a therapeutic tray, hanging tote bag, and a front harness.

HOW IS THE CHILD PLACED IN THE WHEELCHAIR?
A dedicated group of professionals – therapists, rehab specialists, medical engineers, and volunteers – travel on the distribution trips in order to specifically fit each chair to each child while in country. All children are different and each chair is modified to maximize the child’s potential.

HOW IS THE FAMILY INVOLVED?
The family or caretaker of the recipient are given a tool that allows them to make simple adjustments to the sizing of the chair, to be sure the chair continues to be adapted to the child’s size as he/she grows. Depending on the size of the child or small adult, the KidChair can be adapted to the person for up to 5 years.

HOW HAS THE KIDCHAIR BEEN TESTED?
The KidChair was inspected by an independent evaluating firm, Beneficial Designs, Inc. located in Minden, NV. The equipment "cleared all requirements" for a person up to 120 lbs. The testing included: drop tests, static test, impact test, and fatigue tests, with every portion of the wheelchair measured and analyzed.

WHAT DO THE PROFESSIONALS SAY?
“The KidChair helps them be an active part of their world and connect with other people in ways that are impossible when they cannot sit up and move. It is a wonderful resource for children with disabilities in developing countries.”
Tamara Kittelson-Aldred, MS, OTR/L, ATP Occupational Therapist
RESNA Certified Assistive Technology Practitioner

“I can barely put into words what it feels like to fit a child into a HHIM Wheelchair. The children come in with almost nothing but leave with hope, mobility, and the promise of brighter days ahead.”
Mel Elliot, ATS
President, Carolina Mobility & Seating, Inc.

HOW CAN I HELP?
The KidChair can be sponsored for $250 to cover the manufacturing costs. This sponsorship allows you to personally sponsor the wheelchair for a recipient in desperate need of mobility in a poverty-stricken country. A photo of the child in their newly sponsored chair is provided to the donor. Click here to sponsor a Kid Chair for $250 now.

ROC Chair (Reach Out and Care)/tilt-in-space

The ROC Chair is specifically designed for pediatric quadriplegic recipients. It features a “tilt-in-space” function to allow for a specialized support system. It has strong tires to be able to handle the rough terrains in developing countries. The chair is manufactured new by inmates at the South Dakota State Penitentiary. Visit www.rocwheels.org for more information about the wheelchair.

The ROC wheelchair can be sponsored for $300 to cover the manufacturing costs. This sponsorship allows you to sponsor the wheelchair for a recipient in desperate need of mobility in a poverty-stricken country. A photo of the child in their newly sponsored chair is provided to the donor. Click here to sponsor a ROC wheelchair for $300, now.

PET Chair

The PET Chair is manufactured in partnership with the PET Project, an organization who’s focus is mobility for those in need. The PET Chair is designed for people with upper body strength, as it is lever powered by hand-cranks. It has rubber, wheel barrow tires created to handle rigorous, rough terrain. The chair can be easily assembled and maintained. Visit www.giftofmobility.org for more information about the wheelchair.